6 Chapter 6 - Tean Years Later

April 4. 2:54 pm.

Students were sitting at their desks, listening as the instructor explained why the world was in the state it was in. Some listened intently, knowing that this knowledge would help them deepen their understandings of being a mage, as well as build up a sense of pride to protect and serve their country. Others whispered amongst themselves, paying little to no attention to the lecture. They didn't care. One simply sat and stared out the window of the classroom, watching the birds glide by and the clouds drift through the sky.

Although it was April, the sky was blue and the sun was out. By all accounts, today was a beautiful day. I bit on the warmer side, but nothing too extravagant. So as not to let the heat build up, causing the students to complain, the instructor had decided to open his classroom windows. That soft breeze that blew in felt good and relaxing.

Her hair gently swayed in the wind, glistening as it caught rays of the sun. Those who sat around her couldn't help but look at her. That black hair was like polished Onyx, with violet streaks that stood out. But it wasn't a bad look. In fact, it only enhanced the beauty of her hair. Her skin was a soft white, giving her the appearance of a doll when she sat perfectly still. Her slender frame helped enhance her budding figure. Though she was still only an adolescent, the curves she was beginning to develop showed that in several years time, she would be a beauty.

There was only one problem. That single problem earned her a unique title that spread throughout the school, though everyone could understand why she had such a title.

"There she is again, the 'Violet Ice Queen'. Think if I approached her, I could get her to say something?" one of the students whispered to a fellow mate when the period ended, glancing over to the girl.

"Good luck! She never says anything, doesn't even look when being addressed. I don't understand how the other girls don't get angry at her," the other retorted.

"she's been through enough, so it's understandable why her personality is the way it is," a female student quietly said as she approached the other two. "How would you react if you lost your mother, then only two months later lost your father? Then, to make matters worse, lose the woman whose been raising you as her own daughter after that? That's too much loss, if you ask me. Her shutting down is a natural response." All three stared at the back of that girl's head for a moment in silence.

Class once more resumed after the small break. The instructor cleared his throat and took a furtive glance toward the girl before he began to speak. "Ten years ago there was an incident..."

The room grew deathly quiet. Students glanced from the instructor to the girl, a hint of worry flashing through their eyes.

"... And this incident took the lives of many. No one was spared pain or suffering. However, those who lost their lives did not do in vain. In fact, they bravely gave themselves so that us here today could continue to live on."

Suddenly, a window frosted over and cracked, and the temperature noticeably dropped in the room. Students began to stand up and slowly retreat toward the exits.

"Mr. Lee... Are you telling us that we should be happy our loved ones died that day?" The silent girl turned and asked Mr. Lee, the instructor, a cold glint in her eyes.

"O-Of course n-not, Violet," he stammered, "you should at least feel proud, especially given who-who your father was! Sa-Same for your mother, as well as Guardian!"

"Proud? That's what I should feel? Then, why do I feel pain and sadness? Sorrow? Bitterness? Why do I feel like I was abandoned?" tears began to stream down Violet's face, a pained expression replacing her normally stoic one. For the firdt time, the students saw a girl who knew another emotion. They all looked down, a bit ashamed. Who didn't know the story of her parents and Guardian? It was a mandatory study point in classrooms! Her mother had left her father for another man just two months prior to the attack, but tragically died just a few days later while out on a mission. Then her father valiantly fought the beast dubbed the Crimson Reaper, only to have his life come to end, along with that of his teammates. His guardian had lost her arm while fending off a horde of monsters attacking the power station that same day, as well as irreparable scarring to her face and part of her body. But even so, she took this orphaned child in and raised her like Violet was her own daughter up until a year ago, when she was suddenly sent out on a mission, only to get ambushed by Rogue mages and killed. That little bit of her world was finally taken from her, so she spiraled into a dark place. It had taken most of the year, but she had slowly climbed out of the darkness, but it had caused her to fall way behind in her studies, both secular and magical. The only time she could show a bit of power was when she was very emotional, and she only ever showed emotion when her only family was brought up.

Her father, the strongest War Mage, her mother, and the woman who she had grown to love as if she were her own mother - all three were ripped from her. Her father and Guardian at least left her something - a photo of the three of them together, when she had just turned three.